Foundation generating donations for emergency shelter power

When major disasters occur at either end of Douglas County, people are often cut off from the county’s main population center in Carson Valley.

During the Tamarack Fire, evacuated Holbrook residents had to go to Smith Valley because the power was shut off to the south county and Highway 395 was closed.

Lake Tahoe residents sheltered at the Stateline casinos last winter because there wasn’t an emergency generator at Kahle Community Center.

An effort started in May to raise $200,000 to install generators at both of the centers, got a $10,000 boost from Business Council of Douglas County President Bobbi Thompson last week.

The $200,000 is a match to leverage up to $800,000 in federal funds to purchase the generators.

Topaz Ranch Estates has been isolated by fires and storms that shut down power to the community of around 2,000 people.

“Power outages in southern Douglas County leave us with very few options for sheltering those impacted,” East Fork Fire Chief Tod Carlini said. “With the installation of an emergency generator at the Topaz Ranch Estates Community Center, the county can better serve the community during times of disaster.”

The same can be said at Lake Tahoe

“Having a back-up generator at Kahle Community Center will benefit the Tahoe community during emergency situations, allowing Kahle to be utilized as a community shelter or staging location for our firefighters when needed,” Tahoe-Douglas Fire Chief Scott Lindgren said.

Donations may be mailed to the Community Services Foundation, PO Box 838, Minden, Nev. 89423. For more information, email info@dccsf.com or call 775-782-9829.